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EXCLUSIVE: Shrenu Parikh talks about Ek Bhram Sarvagun Sampanna, its time slot, shift to grey character & more
In an exclusive chat with PINKVILLA, Shrenu Parikh got candid as she spoke about her character in the upcoming show Ek Bhram Sarvagun Sampanna, what made her say yes to such a grey shaded character, if she would ever take up an outright negative character and more.
Ek Bhram Sarvagun Sampanna, starring Shrenu Parikh as the unconventional bahu on Indian television has sure been going places and winning a lot of hearts. The actress, who was last seen as Gauri in Ishqbaaaz has indeed undergone a major character transformation for her role of Janhvi in the upcoming show. The first ever promo had everyone totally appalled on seeing what they saw, however, she continues to receive a lot of praises and applause for the kind of work she has put together for the show.
Shrenu will be playing the role of Janhvi Mittal, the elder bahu of the house Mittal ‘parivaar’ in the show. The promos have clearly indicated that her character is going to be one with grey shades and while it is nothing close to a typical bahu, it isn’t an outright negative character either. Shrenu got in a candid conversation with Pinkvilla right before she headed for the screening of the show’s very first episode, and she spoke about her character, any inhibitions she had before taking up the role of Janhvi Mittal and a lot more.
The show has been receiving great reviews despite your character being one with grey shades. How overwhelming is it?
To be very honest, I have a lot of overwhelming nervousness as well because people are expecting a lot from this show. Of course, we are very confident about the show and it is a great character and I am very sure that it will click with the people, but it is just that the people are anticipating the show so much that it puts a lot of responsibility on your shoulders. Of course, Deepti ma’am, and the whole team has put in a lot of efforts and it has been a year since they have been working on the show. I, on the other hand, have been associated with the show since December, so it has become like my baby too now. We all are expecting a lot and a lot is being expected from us, and it kind of makes me nervous now.
You had first said a no to this character, but eventually, you did have a change of heart and here you are. How did that come through?
You know it is just one of those moments when you are trying to act yourself, think about what you want to do next for yourself in terms of your profession. So, while I was auditioning for it, I had no expectations and I enjoyed the audition a lot. The first ever audition I went to post the pack up of Ishqbaaaz, late in the night, with the same hair, same makeup, and I did it very casually. And, it was without too much thinking, and I think that is what ultimately clicked and brought out the best performance in me because I wasn’t very nervous. And that’s what Deepti ma’am saw, and then, I met her along with Deepak sir at a mall, and I was initially wondering why has she called me to a mall. It was then that she sat me down and told me that Shrenu this is the role, I want you to know about it, and we can take a getaway, go out for some 7-8 days and I will narrate to you and we will start the prepping up. When this happened, I was like hold on, hold on, hold on, this is like going too fast. My Ishqbaaaz is still going on and right now, I can’t think so much. Honestly, I did get a cold-feet at that time, and I was like I can’t do this because this is a very complicated role, to which I don’t think I can do justice. After this, she told me that you are not the girl than Janhvi would be, and if that is how you feel about it and that’s how underconfident you are about it, then I am sorry, you cannot be my Janhvi. And then I was like oh my God, this is a challenge for me, and then it was just her pushing me in a way and I am thankful for it. Eventually, she said just think about it, she asked me to watch certain movies, and all this before saying a yes, and then I watched them and that’s when I knew that I have to do this, one has to have a lot of luck to get such a role.
What was that one moment that made you say a yes eventually?
You know it was that very moment when she (Deepti ma’am) said that you can’t be my Janhvi and I was like no, I must be the Janhvi. So, I think at that very moment I thought I have to do this character and do justice to it, so I did not spontaneously say a yes to her because I needed to soak it in and then take this responsibility. But yes, that’s when I thought I have to do this, especially given I had other offers as well, I went with this show which is very unconventional. In fact, my mom was also asking me if I am sure I want to do this and if she will be able to watch the show, I was like of course mom. There was a lot of resistance from the friend circle of mine, these are people not from the industry. They said that we are the audience and looking at you, we don’t think you are fit for this character. But then that’s what Deepti ma’am told me, I want an innocent face.
We have seen you play all these docile characters, be it Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon..Ek Baar Phir or the last show, Ishqbaaaz. This is quite a shift, how is that shift working out for you?
This was a very conscious decision if you ask me because I was just thinking from my performance’s point of view because I wanted a change; and also the audience’s because I don’t have much to offer and I didn’t want to do another conventional lead. So I really loved the whole concept of anti-hero, which is why I was like if you don’t take risks and challenges now, then when will you?
Do you not think it is too early to play a character with so many layers to it?
No ya, if Shah Rukh Khan would have thought like that, he wouldn’t have started a career only. You never know, I might just open up another set of career options for myself. I wanted to do this and I am very happy that I chose it; it could have been the other way also, but the whole character has not taken a backseat and this is where the show is going and I am loving the way it is shaping up.
The show airs at 7 pm, primarily called an early prime time slot. Are you happy with it given your last show was a prime time one?
See, I honestly don’t understand the TRP game, but obviously not the channel only, but there’ll be another set of people also who will be competing with us, like you said the slot leaders. However, other than that, Star itself demands certain ratings and we have to deliver that much. But, you don’t know what clicks when. I mean c’ mon, with Iss Pyaar people were telling who will watch a romantic show at 6 pm, but people watched it right. So, I am just very confident about it. Let’s hope for the best!
Given the kind of character you play, it could lead to as much bashing on the internet as to love from the fans. What do you think about it?
These days, that is something that will happen either way. Even when I was doing Gauri, I used to get a lot of hatred, so I think all the actors are pretty much immune to it now. So, I think if you are getting so much of love then you will get a percentage of hatred as well, and you should be prepared for it. So, I am prepared for good criticism and for otherwise also, because they are just undercover lovers.
Do you think you will be open to doing an outright negative character in the future after having done such a role?
Anything that gives me a scope of performance in my life, is welcome in my life. The way Janhvi was welcomed in my life, so yeah, why not? But I wouldn’t want to do anything stereotypical or typical that has been going on. I have always tried to do something which is somehow different from my previous character and that’s what I’d like to stick to, irrespective of the medium, but it has to be meaty for sure.
Are you looking forward to the show? Drop in your comments below.
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